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illicit sites

Does anyone know what the university regulations are re. accessing illicit internet sites on the college network? (e.g. pornography). I don't mean anything illegal - just sites which some people may find offensive. Thanks.

Reply 1

F1 fanatic

16

tim.baker

Does anyone know what the university regulations are re. accessing illicit internet sites on the college network? (e.g. pornography). I don't mean anything illegal - just sites which some people may find offensive. Thanks.

interesting question. :s-smilie:

As far as I know they turn a blind eye up to a point, but people do get kicked off if it's deemed excessive/frequent. Also be aware that they have records of every site that you visit, should they choose to look at it. Obviously illegal is just plain banned, at least in theory.

Reply 2

Derek_the_Sheep

8

From: "Regulations Relating to the use of Information Technology Facilities" - http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/statutes/regulations/196-052.shtml

"7. Users are not permitted to use university IT or network facilities for any of the following:

(1) any unlawful activity;

(2) the creation, transmission, storage, downloading, or display of any offensive, obscene, indecent, or menacing images, data, or other material, or any data capable of being resolved into such images or material, except in the case of the use of the facilities for properly supervised research purposes when that use is lawful and when the user has obtained prior written authority for the particular activity from the head of his or her department or the chairman of his or her faculty board (or, if the user is the head of a department or the chairman of a faculty board, from the head of his or her division);

(3) the creation, transmission, or display of material which is designed or likely to harass another person in breach of the University's Code of Practice on Harassment;

(4) the creation or transmission of defamatory material about any individual or organisation; ..."

DtS

Reply 3

Eau

15

"offensive, obscene, indecent, or menacing..." - isn't that subjective?

Reply 4

Knogle

16

celeritas

"offensive, obscene, indecent, or menacing..." - isn't that subjective?

Yes, but considering this is Oxbridge, they expect students to have common sense. :wink:

Reply 5

hobnob

14

What an odd first question to ask before going up. :confused:

Reply 6

freeme

celeritas

"offensive, obscene, indecent, or menacing..." - isn't that subjective?

Little bit difficult to describe otherwise though.

Reply 7

tim.baker

OP

celeritas

"offensive, obscene, indecent, or menacing..." - isn't that subjective?

Exactly. I saw this and thought the same. If this is the only regulation on the topic, it would simply be a question of attitude.

Anyone with any more specific knowledge?

Reply 8

hobnob

14

If you want a definite reply, perhaps you should contact your college's IT person directly - although of course you might end up being told you won't allowed to access those "illicit" sites on the university network. An easy solution might be to live out and get your own internet connection, but that won't be an option for you during your first year, obviously.

Reply 9

Huw Davies

11

I've only known people get done for excessive bandwidth use, not for the type of content. Though I imagine actual illegal things would also get you banned if detected.

Reply 10

Cirsium

19

On paper you can't look at porn and can have your net revoked if you do. In practice unless you use up alot of bandwidth they'll ignore you.

Reply 11

Eau

15

Oh well - the disadvantages of living on campus. But I guess they are just trying to protect the image of the university.

Reply 12

Cirsium

19

I'd imagine its more down to the likelihood of downloading viruses with the porn, and it being easier to outlaw all kinds of porn than distinguishing between then. The same rules apply for practically any kind of employer you're ever likely to have...

Reply 13

thomasjtl

9

I don't think it's entirely unreasonable- academic uses is their primary reason for providing it.

Reply 14

jammy07

7

I believe the policies that will directly affect students are implemented individually by colleges. At Christ Church we were given a registration form, the only thing i can remember about it is that file-sharing software is banned, unless you have good reason for using it and ask permission. The only music software mentioned was i-tunes which they allowed so long as the ability to share your music or something like that, was disabled.

Reply 15

chocolatebear

what is their policy on file sharing or torrent software, i cant live without my dosage of american downloaded tv shows

Reply 16

Athena

6

chocolatebear

what is their policy on file sharing or torrent software, i cant live without my dosage of american downloaded tv shows

Technically banned, but they might not comment if you only download small volumes, and in teh middle of the night - download in the day and you'll be unpopular/kicked off the network temporarily/permanently.

Reply 17

thomasjtl

9

since their legal status is hardly conclusive, the only thing they could complain about would be use of bandwidth, so i think you'd have a fair case if you did it at night.

Reply 18

Feefifofum

16

File sharing depends on college, really. It's strictly banned at Hilda's, and if you're caught you'll be cut off, at least temporarily. Other colleges don't mind as much, as long as you don't use up too much bandwidth.

Reply 19

Drogue

19

chocolatebear

what is their policy on file sharing or torrent software, i cant live without my dosage of american downloaded tv shows

That *will* get you banned at most colleges. Filesharing is illegal, while porn isn't. Therefore the latter mat be distasteful, but it's just bandwidth use. Anything illegal will get you banned if caught. I've had friends banned for it.

illicit sites

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